Daily Devotion: May 1

John‬ ‭6:19-21
“So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.”

The world is going through one of the most difficult times that we can remember in our lifetime. There is no place of refuge for people to run to and take comfort away from this silent enemy. The news all around us is mostly negative and most people are anxious with a level of fear that has set in and see little hope for a way out.

Life brings us overwhelming difficult circumstances where we feel a sense of despair.

Jesus in the passage above comes to his disciples in their difficult time where it’s dark while toiling and in despair, walking on water and says to them “do not be afraid”.

Christ came to his disciples in the scriptures often and either laid a hand on them or pronounced peace to them. Jesus comes into the life of believers and says “do not be afraid”. When it’s dark and tumultuous Christ comes in and says “roll your burden on me for I care for you.”

Paul the apostle, inspired by God’s Spirit, says in Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7 to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Jesus is calling us to that abiding faith and comfort of the Spirit today. He comes into the dark times of our lives and offers a peace that this world does not know. Jesus is hope and peace through the rough patches of life.

In the book of John,‬ ‭Chapter 15:7-8, Jesus speaking to his disciples says; “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”

Taking shelter under the wings of God or the comfort of being in His arms is a place of refuge for all who attempt to abide in Him. It’s a place of peace, not as the world knows peace. There is an abiding peace that comes with faith in a God who is bigger than any of our circumstances.

God wants to come in and work in our lives even when we are imperfect and lack faith. A simple cry for help “Lord I believe, help my unbelief” is what it takes to tap into the source of all comfort and peace.

All things are possible when we rest in Him and simply surrender our insecurities, issues, difficulties, despair and life circumstances into His care and hands. Christ went to the cross to pay for our sins to establish full access for those who seek Him into the family of God, removing every hindrance for full fellowship with Him.

Oh, what a friend we have in Jesus!